Texans’ C.J. Stroud is in the concussion protocol, and Nico Collins leaves the game early.
The hits keep coming over the Houston Texans. In their 30–6 loss to the New York Jets on Sunday, they lost young quarterback C.J. Stroud and top receiver Nico Collins.
When Jets defensive end Quinnen Williams pushed Stroud with the ground, the back of his helmet hit the ground, putting him in the concussion protocol. Before the game, Stroud had the most throwing yards in the NFL.
While the Texans’ trainers took care of Stroud, he lay on the ground for a few minutes, moaning in pain.
After going into the navy medical tent, he moved to the sidelines and was led to the changing room for more tests. He did not come back.
After Stroud threw a 6-yard pass to John Metchie III, Williams hit him too late, but Texans coach DeMeco Ryans was more concerned with protecting his quarterback than with the hit.
“On the hit with C.J., we have to mitigate it better,” he said. “They can’t get back to our quarterback. We need to do a better job of blocking it up front.
Before the game, Williams told Stroud on social media that he hoped he was okay and wish him “nothing but the best.”
After throwing a 6-yard pass to John Metchie, Quinnen Williams hit Stroud, who left the game with 6:30 to go. Stroud fell backward and his head seemed to bounce off a MetLife Stadium grass.
Before he walked to the locker room, he was checked out quickly on the bench. The Texans told Stroud he was out for the game, as well as Davis Mills took his place.
Brevin Jordan, a tight end, said, “We just came out flat today.” “It’s among those things; we need to fix it as a team.” We need to have ourselves ready to change. It’s hard, but we play this match to win.
Along with Stroud, Houston made a lot of progress. They missed a chance to catch up to Jacksonville (8-5) in first place when the Jaguars lost 31–27 at Cleveland.
The Colts (7-6) lost 34–14 at Cincinnati, putting them tied with Houston over second place in the division.
When he arrived, Stroud, who was picked second overall in April, had thrown for 3,540 yards, which was the third most of any player within the first 12 games.
He has thrown 20 touchdowns and only five interceptions. Even though he had a rough game against the Jets, he hasn’t had a pick in the past three games.
Jordan said, “He’s really the light of our team.” “This guy came in with a lot for swag and moxie.” It’s tough to see him get hurt, but that’s sports. The man after him needs to get up and be ready to go.
Several Texans players were hurt during the game. Wide receiver Tank Dell broke his left leg in last week’s win over Denver, so he wasn’t able to play.
Stroud threw a pass and was struck by New York defensive tackle Quinnen Williams. The back of his head went off the field at MetLife Stadium.
Stroud stayed on the field for a while, clearly in pain, while trainers took care of him. He then walked to the medical tent on the sidelines.
They took him into the locker room to be checked out, and he didn’t come back into the game.
Because of the injury, Stroud might not be able to play when the Texans play the Tennessee Titans next week.
Texas is now 7-6 after losing 30–6 on Sunday. They are just outside of the NFL playoff picture as they are behind in the tiebreakers.
Coach DeMeco Ryans of the Texans told reporters after the game that Stroud would be put through the concussion protocol. “We’ll see how the progresses all through the week,” Ryans said.
Davis Mills took over for Stroud with less than seven minutes left in the game. If Stroud doesn’t get medical clearance next week, Mills would start.
Stroud, the No. 2 pick in April’s draft, came into the game led the league within passing yards, but he was already having a rough game before he got hurt.
The former Ohio State star was sacked four times and only threw for 91 yards against the Jets’ tough defense within East Rutherford, N.J., where it was raining.
This was already a big problem for the Texans’ attack because rookie receiver Tank Dell and veteran defensive back Dalton Schultz, who caught the second and third most passes, were both hurt.
Dell broke his left leg last week during the victory over the Denver Broncos, which will end his season. Since Schultz missed his last game, he missed the next two as well.